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Adult occupantThe E-Class is fitted as standard with Mercedes-Benz's 'PRE SAFE' system, which senses when an accident is about to occur and primes the restraint and protection systems in readiness for the collision.

In Euro NCAP's frontal and side barrier impacts, the PRE-SAFE System was not activated. The passenger compartment remained stable in the frontal impact, the windscreen pillar moving rearwards by only 3mm.

Readings from crash-test dummies indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both driver and passenger. Mercedes-Benz was able to demonstrate that occupants of different sizes, and those in different seating positions, would have a similar level of protection against upper leg injuries.

Cars with serial numbers greater than WDD21200511A133988 are equipped as standard with a seat-mounted pelvis airbag for side impact protection. Euro NCAP's rating does not apply to earlier cars. Maximum points were scored in the side barrier test.

In the more severe side pole test, protection offered by the chest was rated as marginal. Protection against whiplash injuries in a rear impact was also rated as marginal.

Child occupantIn the frontal impact, forward movement of the head of the dummy representing the three-year-old was not excessive. In the side barrier impact, the head of the three-year-old and 18-month-old infants were properly contained in the protective shell of the child seat.

Neither crash-test dummy recorded values in the test, that would reflect poor protection. Rearward-facing child restraints sold by Mercedes-Benz are automatically detected by the front passenger seat and the airbag for that seating position is disabled.

However, other rearward-facing child restraints would not be recognised by the system and the airbag remains active. The car contains a permanent label, clearly warning of the potential dangers of using a rearward-facing child seat without disabling the passenger airbag.

PedestrianThe bumper scored maximum points for the protection it offered to pedestrians' legs. However, the front edge of the bonnet was rated as poor. The E-Class is equipped with a pop-up bonnet, giving greater clearance between the bonnet surface and the rigid components of the engine compartment when the car senses that it is striking a pedestrian.

Good protection was provided in most parts of the bonnet likely to be struck by a child's head and in many of the areas where an adult's head might strike.

Safety assistThe E-Class is equipped with electronic safety control (ESC) as standard equipment on all variants. A seatbelt reminder system, covering both front and rear seats, is also standard equipment.